2014 NFL Draft: Tight Ends Escape Patriots’ Grasp in Round 2

The New England Patriots sit at pick 62 overall in the 2014 NFL draft, but second round-caliber tight ends do not sit with them.

After Day 1 saw North Carolina’s Eric Ebron join the Detroit Lions, Day 2 saw Washington’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins land with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Texas Tech’s Jace Amaro land with the New York Jets, and Notre Dame’s Troy Niklas catch on with the Arizona Cardinals.

In turn, head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots war room find themselves in a difficult position. With uncertainty regarding Rob Gronkowski’s timetable to return, and with the top four tight ends in this year’s class off the board, it appears unlikely No. 5 will be taken at the end of Round 2.

Iowa’s C.J. Fiedorowicz fits New England’s parameters as a blocking inline “Y” with the ability to stand in the seam. Yet as far as value is concerned, the Patriots may be looking elsewhere at the end of Round 2. And with the run on running backs, that may not be the end-all, be-all.